"Woah, there's our girl!" Evan said excitedly.

"Avril! Avril!" cheered Jack and Evan immediately joined the boys.

What Avril had just done was not a good thing to cheer for. Avril should have told Valerie slowly, not in public. What she did just now made Avril feel just the same as that girl. But, Avril hid it well from her friends. The girl just smiled awkwardly and sat down again. Avril was back to being sweet Avril. The serious and threatening face she had shown earlier had disappeared.

As soon as Avril sat down, she saw supportive looks from her friends. Seriously! Avril didn't even feel like a hero at all. If there was another way to stop Val, of course, she would have done it.

"You didn't see Valerie's face earlier? I bet her face is the same color as a lobster" Jack said.

"Oh come on, let's not talk about that" Avril disagreed. "Let's talk about something else."

Evan shook his head disapprovingly. "This is too exciting to miss. Seriously! By the way, this is the first time I've ever heard you talk bad about Valerie."

Avril just realized something. Her actions earlier were indeed spontaneous. But, Jack liked Valerie. "Oh, my gosh! I forgot Jack! I'm sorry."

Jack shook his head. "No problem. You did the right thing. Besides, after that incident, Val doesn't look as pretty as she used to. I guess I just don't like her anymore."

Avril gaped. "That fast?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "I was surprised too. But, yes! Maybe I didn't like her that much after all."

Avril nodded in understanding. Avril secretly thought about her feelings. Were Avril's feelings for Matt also temporary? Can Avril's feelings change that quickly? In front of Avril, Evan patted Matt's shoulder proudly.

"Finally! You don't like that lobster anymore," Evan said, quoting Jack's words just now. Jack laughed. "Looks like I'll be looking for another target. Alice, would you like to go out with me?"

Alice furrowed her brow while giving Jack an annoyed look. "Don't ruin my lunch, okay?"

The popular table was noisy again. However, it wasn't just them. The cafeteria was running as usual. In the cafeteria, you could hear the chatter of the residents and their laughter. Zed watched the girl as he always did. Zed understood why Avril did it and the girl's actions just now made him feel admiration for Avril. Zed had known Avril since Middle School.

"You haven't eaten yet, A!" Zed reminded Avril.

Avril's reverie was broken. She smiled stiffly at Zed. "Thanks for reminding me! I'm not sure I want to make my body smaller."

Zed smiled in understanding. That's how Avril is! Avril liked to say silly things like that. However, when the lion inside her awakens, Avril can defeat anyone like just now. Avril is a big problem when you have a problem with her.

"Then you'd better eat now! Mr. Brown doesn't like being late," Zed reminded her.

Avril grimaced at the thought of the still-powerful Mr. Brown and his punishment. "On my way, boss!"

Zed nodded while Avril quickly turned to Johanna. "We have to eat, J! Come on!"

Johanna did not answer but she quickly left her seat. Jack was still teasing Alice which made the girl even more upset. In the end, Alice kicked Jack's shin in annoyance. The man screamed so they became the center of attention. But moments later, everyone ignored Jack again while he was busy rubbing his leg.

Zed noticed Avril who was choosing food with a tray in her hand. The girl said something to Johanna to which Johanna responded by raising her eyebrows. Johanna was able to get that close to Avril because of that girl. Avril continued to pursue her in the first year. She said Johanna looked cool. Who would have thought that they would be best friends now even though they have opposite attitudes? But, that's exactly what makes them look like one when they are together. They complement each other.

Then, Zed overheard his friends talking. While listening to his friends, Zed noticed Matt and Kim enjoying their food. Zed's gaze fell on Matt. He had caught Zed's attention.

***

Avril had just finished choir practice. Avril glanced at her watch. It was four o'clock in the afternoon. It looked like she would be going home early today. The news of her argument with Valerie had become a hot topic throughout the school. In fact, her friends in the choir were also asking a lot of questions about it. Avril handled it well even though she didn't like the topic. At least, Avril felt grateful for being able to mask her discomfort when asked about it.

Johanna also commented this afternoon. Johanna had always been a neutral party who didn't care about the outside world. But, this afternoon, Johanna also approved of Avril's actions. The girl said it when they were taking food together. In Johanna's opinion, whatever Valerie's reason for doing so, what she did earlier was completely wrong because she intended to humiliate the girl named Kim. Avril thought so too which is why she did all that. Avril didn't want the other Matts to think that the cafeteria wasn't a safe place for them either, other than standing in the middle of the corridor. Avril's head throbbed. Apparently, the world is quite complicated.

Avril tightened her grip on the sheet music she was holding. Elizabeth and Ria were talking about something else that she didn't hear at all. Then, Elizabeth and Ria giggled and left Avril after saying goodbye. Avril still hadn't gotten her focus. She just nodded and then sighed. Avril just wanted to hurry home today.

"You just took away your one happiness with that one breath" Zed commented.

Zed's voice broke Avril's reverie. She looked over to find Zed leaning against the wall with his charming smile. Zed was wearing black jeans, a loose white t-shirt, and a black and white baseball jacket. Overall, Zed was handsome. No wonder he got the nickname Prince Charming. Oh, so this is why Elizabeth and Ria were giggling earlier. Avril quickly gathered herself and smiled.

"Oh, my gosh! I'm really missing out if it's like that," said Avril.

Zed noticed Avril. "Come on, I'll take you home!"

Avril glanced at Zed. "Seriously?"

Zed nodded. "Do you think I'm a liar, A?"

Avril laughed amusedly. "oh, of course not! I warn you, I'm pretty heavy."

Zed laughed. His steps matched Avril's and they started walking down the corridor. "I'm pretty sure you're the lightest in our group."

Avril knew it was true but she didn't want to give up so easily. "Then let's test you one by one."

Zed shoved his hands into his pockets. Walking side by side like this with Avril made him want to grab her hand and hold it right then and there, but Zed drew his line. Zed didn't want Avril to become uncomfortable and move away from him.

"Oh, come on A! Even in the cheers team, you get thrown around" Zed commented.

Avril laughed amusedly. "Being thrown around sounds scary. But, yes! Thanks for reminding me."

"So? How about it?" said Zed.

Avril really needed to get home fast and Zed's offer was tempting. "Alright!"

Zed smiled a little. "Great! Let's go to the parking lot then!"